Rafale F5

[PatrioticFR]

DB Selector

DB3K

Baseline

5274 #5275 #5276 Rafale F4-2 B/C/M

Hypothetical

Yes

Name

Rafale F5

Country

France

Service

Armée de l'air et de l'Espace / Marine National

In Commission

2030

Number in Service

Unknown

Length (m)

15,3

Wingspan (m)

10,8

Height (m)

5,28

Empty Weight (kg)

10196

Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) (kg)

22200

Payload Weight (kg)

0

Crew

1 or 2 for the B version

Propulsion

Same as Rafale F4

Rate of Climb (ft/min)

Same as Rafale F4

Service Ceiling (ft)

Same as Rafale F4

Military/Afterburner Speed (kt)

Same as Rafale F4

Cruise Speed (kt)

Same as Rafale F4

Supercruise

Yes

Ferry Range (nm)

Same as Rafale F4

Endurance (min)

Same as Rafale F4

Takeoff / Landing Distance (m)

Same as Rafale F4

Fuel Capacity (kg)

Same as Rafale F4

Sensors

RBE-2 XG with GAN antenna that improve the range from 70 to 100% compared to the RBE-2AA RBE-2 XG OECM (X,K and Ku band) AN/AVS_9 Night Vision Goggles OSF [CCD] with up to 100km range DDM-NG same as Rafale F4 OSF IR [IRST/FLIR] from the Rafale F4 Spectra [LWR, F5 Std] (late 2020's) Spectra [RWR/ELINT, F5 Std] (late 2020's) Spectra [DECM, F5 Std] (late 2020's) OSF IR [Laser Range Finder] (Same as Rafale F4) Mk1 Eyeball

Mounts

Same as Rafale F4 New pod with Talios and Aeros capabilities (all in one) with double the range and the sensibility of the sensor to quadruple the flux. Meteor MLU (new AESA seeker , probably derived from the MICA NG one) ASN4G (replacement of the ASMPA): about 1000km range with Mach 7/8 at Higth altitude. The fligth altitude can be chossen before firing FMC: Sleathy subsonic long range missile (above 1000km range) FMAN: Mach 3 sea skimming missile with 300km range

Loadout Options

Same as Rafale F5 Replace the pod by the new one Replace Meteor by Meteor MLU Replace ASPMA by ASN4G Replace Scalp / Exocet by FMC/FMAN

Comms/Datalinks

Same as Rafale F4 +Satcom +Contact Radio

Aircraft Codes

No response

Comments

Supposed to enter in service between 2030 and 2035 in the French Air Force.

Sources

www.air-cosmos.com 27/07/2023 "Dossier SPECIAL RAFALE" (I've got some screenshot if need to)

Source for ASN4G : https://www.opex360.com/2023/03/12/mbda-en-dit-un-peu-plus-sur-lasn4g-le-futur-missile-de-la-composante-aeroportee-de-la-dissuasion-francaise/ (Capabilities are only supposition)

Source for FMC/FMAN : https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/02/future-cruise-and-anti-ship-weapon-fc-asw-program-reaches-new-milestone/ (Capabilities are only supposition)

[gorillabond]

FC/ASW should also be added to RAF Typhoons and F-35Bs (externally). I will point out that more recent news shows that FC/ASW may be splitting into separate missiles under the same program, instead of a one-size-fits-all solution. https://www.mbda-systems.com/press-releases/uk-and-france-advance-future-cruise-anti-ship-weapon-project/

[gosnold]

First flight should be 2030: https://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/rafale-standard-f5-premieres-commandes-notifiees-aux-industriels

Weapons should include "saturation weapons", very likely like the smartglider concept from MBDA: https://www.defense.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/ministere-armees/Rafale%20standard%20F5_premi%C3%A8res%20commandes%20notifi%C3%A9es%20aux%20industriels.pdf

It will be introduced with a stealth armed UCAV: https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/group/press/press-kits/unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle-program-kicks-off-as-part-of-the-rafale-f5-standard/

[PatrioticFR]

Nice to see you there @gosnold , i really appreciate to read your articles on SatelliteObservation.net which all have very good technical information on it.

I wonder how CMO will introduce connectivity for futur platform (sutch as SCAF or even Rafale F5) , if the UCAV will simply be an independent unit or if the Rafale can shoot base on target id form the UCAV. As for the smartglider, i wonder how mutch the Rafale will be able to carry. From artist images we can see up to 18 light one , but that seems a bit mutch.

[gosnold]

Thanks a lot! I was about to create a request for the UCAV too but there is not much known, so I guess I will use the X-47B for that for now. Another question is how many smartglider the UCAV can carry, because it's a better platform for them than the Rafale since it can fly at high altitude undetected and so get the max range for them.